By now, you all know the great news—the FIFA World CupTM is coming to the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026!
This is an incredible opportunity for soccer in America, and I want to share a few personal thoughts with you on how we won and why it’s so important to the future of the game in our country.

How We Won
Success was never guaranteed, and, at times, the question of who would host in 2026 became mixed with global politics. There were moments when some observers thought that our United Bid might not prevail.
But we stayed focused on our vision. Mindful that the 2026 tournament will be the largest ever, with 48 countries, we highlighted how our first-ever three-country bid could be a model for the future and bring more nations together around our sport than ever before—Football For All.
This was also the first time that the decision of who hosts a World Cup would be made by more than 200 FIFA member associations in a public vote. Over several months, we worked hard for every vote in every region of the world.
In addition to our world-class stadiums, we highlighted the enduring strengths of our three countries, which can sometimes get overlooked in the politics and rhetoric of the moment. We proudly celebrated the diversity of our three societies and how we welcome people from all over the world.

Our United Bid Presentation to the FIFA CongressOur United Bid presentation to the FIFA Congress in Moscow on June 13 included speakers from each of our three countries. You can watch our full presentation here.
The campaign also gave us the opportunity to strengthen relationships with longtime partners and forge new friendships with associations around the world. It became clear that all countries—big or small, developed or developing—face similar challenges. We saw that, more than ever, we are truly part of a global football family and that we can share our experiences, learn from each other and work together to grow the game in all our countries.
In the end, our vision and message of inclusion and our relentless pursuit of every vote paid off with a winning coalition that included support from every region of the world. By an overwhelming margin of 134 to 65 on the first ballot, our FIFA family voted to give our three countries the honor of hosting in 2026. And we cannot wait to welcome the world!

Why It’s So Important
We have made it a priority to bring the World Cup back to the United States because it will be one of the best ways to transform soccer in America—not only during the tournament itself, but over the next eight years leading up to the kickoff as well as the years that follow. And you—our members at every level—will be a critical part of this journey as we work together to take soccer in our country to new heights.
The excitement around 2026 will inspire a new generation of youth and adults and bring more players into our ranks, especially from underserved and immigrant communities from other soccer-loving nations. Across our country, there are young, aspiring players who can now dream of watching—and maybe even competing in—a World Cup on American soil in eight years.
Bringing the most important soccer event in the world to North America will also help generate new revenue that we can invest to make soccer more affordable and develop the very best players, coaches and referees at all levels. It will attract even more fans, whose passion is helping to fuel the phenomenal growth of soccer across America.
In short, the tremendous energy and resources around 2026—the first World Cup in the U.S. in the digital age—will be a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring us closer to our goal of making soccer the preeminent sport in America. I know we can do it!
Winning our bid is also part of a new phase for U.S. Soccer. As I discussed with Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated on his Planet Fútbol podcast, we’re laying the foundation for the future. And just as we were relentless in the pursuit of our bid, we’ll be relentless in our work to grow soccer in America, especially at the grassroots.
As always, I’m honored to be on this journey with you, and I could not be more excited about the road ahead.

Sunday, June 17th at the Germania soccer complex
Great day to be watching a soccer game live yesterday. I’m not talking about Germany vs Mexico…..
Especially if it was the championship final between the two top teams in our Over 30 division!Emoji
Germania and Czechoslovakia came out to play! And what a show they put on for the lucky
ones there on the side line. The battle started immediately after Rob Miller blew the starting whistle, near misses and shots stopped by the post on both sides. The Czechs got on the board with a ball in the net and Germania soon followed with a goal of their own to tie the game!
By half time, after scoring two more goals they went to break with a 2 – 2 tie score!
Another entertaining half was in store for us. Things got a bit heated at times between players.
On five occasions Mr. Miller had to show the the yellow card – nothing too serious, but the boys got the message and went back to play clean football! Matt Viggiano and Peter Fatol – the two coaches should get a lot of credit for keeping the boys in line.
Two more goals by the Czechs and two by Germania, one just minutes before end of regulation time, forced the game into extra time. The score was 4-4 at regulation time! Two 15 minutes half’s…. here we go!
First half of extra time saw both teams making numerous attempts to put the ball in the net. There was no score!
It was a different story during the second half of extra time. By the 7TH minute, Peter Trlica scored the goal that was going to win the game for the Czechs.
He managed, to stop a long ball on the right wing ( Which he had tried to do on many occasions during the game ), just outside the box and dribble past a defender to drive a hard left foot shot passed the keeper.
The next 8 minutes saw the boys from Germania marching toward goal to tie the game up one more time. But it was not to be!
A clear shot just outside the box that went high above the cross bar and two more that the keeper was able to stop was all that was left before Rob Miller blew the triple whistle!
After the game, everybody got together to enjoy some good food and a cold drink provided with the courtesy of our league!
A remark from the Germania side was all I needed to hear to make my work there complete.
The game yesterday, was much more interesting than the State cup game they played and won two weeks ago!
One more time, Congrats to Germania for Winning the NY State cup O-30 and
congrats to Czechoslovakia for winning the EDSL O-30 championship game 2017-2018
A Thank you to the rest of our clubs, Washingtonville, East Fishkill, Putnam FC. Lagrange and Mohopac. You were all a part of a successful and fun season.
Special thanks to Peter Pinori, Gallo, Cesar Aliaga, and Rob Miller for refereeing the game.
Proud to do the running of the league.
Now time to rest for the off season. Enjoy a safe and fun-filled Summer.

The Over 30 men’s team erased a 1-0 deficit to complete the double with a 2-1 win over Shamrock FC. Keith Detail and Kyle Flynn found the back of the net for Germania while Matt Viggiano and Pat Brown held the defense together limiting Shamrocks to very few attempts on goal.

Germania Blue & White Soccer Club of the EDSL continues to raise the bar as its Over 40 and over 30 men’s soccer teams captured the state crown on Sunday. This is back-to-back years for both teams which has never been done before. The over 40 team came from behind to beat NY Hota Bavians 6-3 powered by Evan Whitson (1goal, 2 assist), Chris Mygan (2 goals) and Brian Kennedy (1 goal, 2 assists).

In Division A NY El Salvador continues winning and continues being in first place by defeating Juventus 2-0. Juventus drops to position 5 overall.
Tallawah and Olimpia played to a 1-1 tie in a tough defensive game while Monarcas and the Vikings also put there defenses on center stage and played to a 1-1 tie. Honduras drew the bye this week but still remains in second place with 10 points.
In Division B action Puma defeated UNAM 4-1 and Morelia defeated Chivas 3-1. Puma and Morelia are both tied for first with 12 points each but Morelia has the edge in the first tie breaker by allowing only 5 goals this year while Puma has allowed 6. CD Leon tied Irlanda 3-3 and now sits in the 3rd spot with 11 points . NYC FC defeated Chelsea 4-1 and sits in 4th place. Atlanta United defeated Liverpool 3-0 and Boca Junior held on to beat Toluca 1-1.
The big games next week is NY El Salvador takes on Honduras at 6:15PM in Division A action and CD Leon plays Puma at 9:00am. All games being played at Pelton Field. Come out and check outsome great soccer.